Buying Advice Overall best tractor?

[TheRealWorld]

I am brand new here, but would like to know what you all would recommend for price and reliability and parts? I am looking for a 40 HP 4X4.

 

[Diamondpilot]

There is no right or wrong answer here. Its like a the Ford, Chevy, Dodge fight.

Get what you like best, is in your budget, and has good dealer support in your area.

For example, many thank Kuboat is the best in this class but there is not a Kubota dealer within 45 miles of me while I have Jinma, John Deere, BobCat, Kioti, Case, Cat, and New Holland dealers within 15 miles or so.

Chris

 

[Sumpter]

You will get a 100 different suggestions on the best, but I like what I got. Not the cheapest I'm sure. New Holland 3040.

 

[buck12]

Well of course after you look at specs, test drive, and talk to others the best tractor will be the one you buy. Good luck!

 

[TheRealWorld]

Thanks for the input, I will be waiting for more. Give me some place to start!

 

[buck12]

First determine the tasks you plan to accomplish with a tractor. If you list these tasks on TBN you will get more advice than you want.

 

[Johnbro]

Although the dealer is an important component, how often do you need to interface with the dealer? I bought my first tractor used, sight unseen (in the days before the internet) from a 4x6 photo from a used equip dealer. never regretted the decision.

what's important in a decision like this is 1) will the model you're interesting in do what you need it to do and 2) will it drive you nuts (unreliable, uncomfortable, difficult to use). There might be certain features you want/need that are only available on some models. You should try out as many different makes and models as you can--renting a tractor is a good way to spend some real seat time. And then read reviews and seek out opinions--both pro and con--to help you make your decision. Generally the "best" tractor won't be the most affordable, any more than a BMW costs the same as a Kia. They both have their place, though.

I've had excellent luck with Kubotas; I like the way they are engineered compared to some other brands. But that's just me. Other people like JD, NH, and other brands.

Welcome and good luck with your search.

 

[Grandad4]

I am brand new here, but would like to know what you all would recommend for price and reliability and parts? I am looking for a 40 HP 4X4.

Glad to have you here at TBN, but you gotta realize that's some loaded question to start out with, right? There are dozens of different brands owned by thousands of different folks who post here. What are the odds you'll get any kind of agreement from all those people about the best brands of equipment? Well, let's see... did they ever settle the Ford vs Chevy debate that has been going on for, what, 75 years? :laughing:

If you do some reading here, I think you'll find people who know tractors usually say that many manufacturers are making good quality, dependable equipment these days. But each brand has its own strong points, and you'll have to study them and match them against what you expect to be doing. Since you are the only one who knows that information, recommendations from others would have to be pretty generic. And a lot of it comes down to personal preference and the dealers you choose to work with.

You can get an idea of which brands are most popular by how many threads, posts and participants are active in the forums for the different brands. Generally, JD, Kubota and New Holland are considered to be the leaders in the under 60hp tractor market, but there are several others that also make very good equipment.

Pricing is regional and also dealer specific, so it's hard to generalize.

If you gave a little more specific detail of what you plan to do with a tractor, you'd probably get more detailed comments.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I would start with ALL the dealers that are in whatever a comfortable driving distance is for you. You have to start somewhere and it does not do much good if we start recommending something that you are not willing to even drive to (to far away) and try to get a look at. Most all the tractors are pretty good these days, you need to look at as many as you can. Sit on as many as you can, try to get a feel for the location and positioning of all the controls. What fits and is comfortable for one of us does not mean that it would be for you. What is your price range? What implements are you going to need to get done whatever it is that you want to do?

The more information that you can give us, the better we will be able to help you.
Oh, and welcome. Maybe fill out your profile a bit better, when the time comes, location can make a huge difference when it comes to recommendations.

 

[milkman636]

My first tractor was a used Ford. Eleven years later it was replaced by a used John Deere. Two weeks ago I bought a new Bobcat, which may eventually replace the John Deere I have been using problem free for the last ten years.

Each one has been the best I could buy with the budget I had at the time. I really think any major brand tractor can be the best tractor. It just comes down to buying what you like best in the price range you can afford. Try a few out and see which one sticks.

Stick with a higher volume model from one of the major brands and parts should not be a problem in the future.

 

[flusher]

I am brand new here, but would like to know what you all would recommend for price and reliability and parts? I am looking for a 40 HP 4X4.

My recommendation: seat time, lots of it if you really, really are looking for the "overall best tractor". In the end, it's the tractor that suits you (not someone else) that will answer your question.

Start with the local dealers. Drive both new and used tractors. Then go to craigslist and check local used tractors for sale. Drive them and determine which ones are to your liking.

After you get some tractor driving experience under your belt, then post back with your questions/comments. TBNers are very friendly and helpful and like to spend other folk's money.

 

[doall]

I'll second the New Holland 3040. 30 horse and 4 wd.

seriously they are all good just find the dealer you like, price you like, and the machine that you like.:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

I cannot improve on the excellent advice given so far, only reinforce it.

In all honesty, I tend to discount information from anyone who touts their brand as "the best"; no such thing. There are experts on here who can tell you of weak points in some particular models and there are probably even a few manufacturers most will agree should be avoided, but those are the lesser known brands. I would have no concerns about anything made by John Deere, Kioti/Bobcat, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, etc.

You will only be happy with a tractor that fits you which may very well be a model disliked by others. I will never buy any model with brakes on the left and others wouldn't have one without them.

My personal preference in the size mentioned would be a Kubota Grand L3940 or Grand L4240, but that sure doesn't mean it would be best for anyone else or that it is superior in quality.

Good luck.

 

[TheRealWorld]

OK, I will start researching, the main brands, Price and reliability are first concerns. Feel free to give your opinions and experience. Is the Jinma, worth considering?

Thanks a bunch for your feedback!

 

[Qapla]

I cannot say what the BEST tractor is. I will recommend in the other direction, though.

I would avoid a FarmTrac and Montana. This is not because they are bad tractors. It is because FT is already out of business and Montana is headed that way.

Keep in mind that in the 40HP range, all these tractors are made outside the US, so many of the "ODD" sounding names are actually very good machines.

You really need to sit in the seat and see if the controls are comfortable to YOU.

Then, when you have seen some you like, post the ones you are thinking about and get more feedback.

 

[Diamondpilot]

OK, I will start researching, the main brands, Price and reliability are first concerns. Feel free to give your opinions and experience. Is the Jinma, worth considering?

Thanks a bunch for your feedback!

Jinma is right for some guys but its by no means a main line tractor or the best. Its a 1950's design in a new package. They are heavy and tough and very simple but thats about it. I have one along with a Ford tractor and I really like the Jinma.

They get a bad wrap because the Chinese will sell them to anyone, not established dealers only like main lines. Because of that quiality can very greatly from dealer to dealer. If you buy one from a large dealer, there are only 4 or 5 nation wide, you can get a well prepared tractor for a bargin. You buy one from a guy selling them on Ebay or out of a closed up gas station and you can expect problems.

All in all I have been happy with mine at 800 hours. They take some tinkering and a strong mechanical background to make them a good value. What they have going for them above price is they are tough and underrated. A Jinma 284 is equal to a 35 hp main line unit in terms of power.

I really do not think this is the route for you. In my eyes the BobCat and Kioti line is a great unit for the price and a good entery point for a first time buyer.

Chris

 

[Grandad4]

Real, that's a good starting place. Your requirements of price and reliability are a bit at odds with each other, of course. As the saying goes, "You usually get what you pay for", but there are some brands, and some models within brands that focus on "value" or "economy". Do some research and you'll soon see those out there. And pay attention to which dealers you have nearby. A good dealer means a lot in reliability.

Don't know anything about Jinma other than what you can read here on TBN. Some folks swear they are fine, others just swear at them. Probably more a "value" brand, dealer support can be iffy and reliablity seems to depend on whether the owner has some mechanical skills.

Good luck with your research.

 

[RobertN]

The first thing to do, is make a list of your needs and requirements. What are you going to do with the tractor? How often? Are you working 5 acres, 10 acres, 200 acres?

Based on your needs and requirements, then you can look for the proper tractor. That list of needs/requirements might highlight that you really need a 70hp tractor, or mayb only a 30hp, less expensive version.

How did you decide 40HP?

Will you mow?
What type of mowing?
How much mowing?
Lawn, field, both

Disc?
how much discing?
Plow?
How much?

Plant? Dig post holes? need a backhoe attachment? Loader? How much loading? @wd ok, or need 4wd? Ag tires or turf, maybe R4? Run other PTO or towed tools, grain auger, water pump, baler, swather? Tiller? Need rear hydraulics for scraper(TnT?)? Will it see daily use, or just occasional?

Once you have that list for your particuler needs/requirements, then you can really get a better idea of the proper tractor to fit the bill.

 

[Sumpter]

I'll second the New Holland 3040. 30 horse and 4 wd.

seriously they are all good just find the dealer you like, price you like, and the machine that you like.:thumbsup:

40 horse and 4WD actually

Also keep the warranties in mind as you are looking.

 

[brain55]

I agree with much of what has been said here. I have been an equipment mechanic for over 23 years now and having worked on many different brands, I think Kubota is the best. But, as also stated, all of the big brands make good quality equipment. In due time they all break. I recommend shopping the best dealer in a comfortable distance to you also.

A great dealer can make a big problem seem like nothing, whereas a poor dealer can turn the smallest problem into a major ordeal.

I feel like I'm just repeating everyone else now. But when you are looking you need to be very clear on what you want to do with the tractor, how much land, how much workable land, future plans for the land, etc. What your immediate needs are and what future needs or ideas you might have. It all comes into play.

And most definitely come back here with all of the info before and after seeing a dealer or individual seller.

Brian